In Kurigram, a district where many families rely on agriculture, duck farming has long offered a pathway to a better life. This valuable sector, known for providing both eggs and meat, plays a key role in supporting livelihoods and combating poverty, especially in areas with abundant wetlands. Farmers in Kurigram have found great success with high-yielding duck varieties, which lay many more eggs than traditional breeds, proving that duck farming can be a very profitable business. However, a recent shortage of young ducklings is posing a temporary challenge, highlighting the need for continued support for this vital industry. The heart of the challenge lies with Kurigramโs only government-run duck breeding farm. Established in 2016 with the noble aim of empowering local families through backyard duck farming, this farm has been instrumental in introducing robust breeds like England’s Khaki Campbell and China’s Jingding. These ducks are remarkable, capable of laying between 230 to 250 eggs each year, which is a significant improvement over local breeds. This success has naturally led to a booming demand for ducklings and hatching eggs, far exceeding what the farm can currently produce. While the farm works hard, its current target of producing 50,000 ducklings each year falls well short of the actual demand, which has soared past 200,000 ducklings annually. This gap means that hardworking farmers, eager to expand their operations, often have to buy ducklings from other sources at much higher prices. For example, a duckling that might cost Tk 25 at the government farm could cost Tk 80-100 in the open market, significantly squeezing farmersโ potential profits. This situation puts a hold on the aspirations of many, like Zahid Hossain, who wish to grow their duck farms. Despite this temporary setback, the resilience of Kurigram’s duck farmers shines through. They understand the immense potential of this sector and are vocal about their needs. Crucially, officials at the duck breeding farm are well aware of the limitations and the soaring demand. They have urgently informed higher authorities about the necessity of expanding the farm by incorporating additional sheds and more layer ducks and drakes. This proactive step shows a clear commitment to addressing the issue and supporting the farmers. As stakeholders work together, there is strong hope that effective measures will be taken to boost the supply of ducklings. Increasing production at the government farm and ensuring equitable distribution will not only help current farmers but also encourage new ones to enter this promising field. By investing in and strengthening the duck farming sector, Bangladesh can ensure continued economic stability for rural communities, reinforcing its commitment to agricultural growth and the well-being of its people. The “hope on hold” is poised to become “hope realized” as solutions are put into action.
